Spotted cutworm, Xestia c-nigrum (L.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) responses to sex pheromone and blacklight

Abstract

Traps baited with the sex pheromone blend of (Z7)‐ and (Z5)‐tetradecenyl acetate captured significant numbers of male spotted cutworm moths, Xestia c‐nigrum (L.) compared to unbaited traps. Nearly no males were captured in traps baited with (Z7)‐tetradecenyl acetate, the major pheromone component. Antennae of spotted cutworm males responded to (Z7)‐, (E7)‐, (Z5)‐ and (E5)‐tetradecenyl acetate in the laboratory; however there was no response by moths in the field to the E isomers when presented in traps as major and minor components respectively of a binary blend or to the (E7) isomer as a single component. These findings clarify the makeup of a sex attractant that can be used for monitoring X. c‐nigrum on agricultural crops in Washington. However, multi‐year season‐long monitoring of spotted cutworm moths in Yakima Valley apple orchards revealed differential responses to pheromone and blacklight traps. A spring flight period showed a strong moth response to the pheromone compared to blacklight, while a later summer flight period showed a weak moth response to the pheromone relative to blacklight. At this time, we do not know which trap type might best indicate spotted cutworm abundance and risk to crops.

<I>Mamestra brassicae</I> Nucleopolyhedrovirus Infection and Enhancing Effect of Proteins Derived From <I>Xestia c-nigrum granulovirus</I> in Larvae of <I>Mamestra brassicae</I> and <I>Helicoverpa armigera</I> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Cabbage

“…In addition to heat tolerance, X. c-nigrum exhibits cold resistance, overwintering as larvae and pupae in temperate zones without entering diapause. The pupae have an average supercooling point of approximately −17 °C with a low of −21 °C in some individuals (Mukawa & Goto 2010;Landolt et al 2011). In the southern region of North America and in Central and East Asia, overwintering pupae have been observed in fields (Xi et al 2002).…”

“…Notably, this species undertakes a long-distance migration between or within tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions, which significantly increases the geographic range over which infestations occur (Jiang et al 2012). Furthermore, X. c-nigrum is known for its rapid development of resistance to many chemical pesticides and its lack of susceptibility to transgenic Bt crops (Landolt et al 2011;Liu et al 2011). Therefore, it can be presumed that X. c-nigrum has a high potential to tolerate or acquire tolerance to various environmental stresses.…”

Seasonal response ofNoctua pronubaLinnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to traps in Washington State

“…These results were obtained collaterally from studies that assessed moth diversity in conserved habitats and determined attractiveness of lures to wheat head armyworm Dargida (Faronta) diffusa (Walker, 1856) (Landolt et al 2011b), spotted cutworm Xestia c-nigrum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Landolt et al 2011c), and codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus, 1758). We provide a fi rst assessment of the seasonality of adult N. pronuba fl ight activity in the state of Washington.…”

“…Traps were checked weekly and Vaportape® was replaced monthly. This survey was set up to monitor spotted cutworm moths (Landolt et al 2011c). …”